Stamford, CT-based Olympus Partners is pleased to announce that it has acquired FFR-DSI, Inc. from Cortec Group.

FFR-DSI, headquartered in Twinsburg, Ohio, is a leading North American designer, marketer and value-added supplier of merchandising, loss prevention and operational efficiency solutions primarily to retailers and consumer packaged goods companies. FFR-DSI’s solutions provide multiple benefits and ultimately enhance profitability for customers by driving incremental sales through influencing the consumer at the point of purchase, reducing retail theft, lowering labor costs and improving store appearance.

Since its founding nearly 50 years ago, the company has steadily evolved from a catalog distributor of retail fasteners and components to a unique supplier that offers a full suite of merchandising solutions across the entire store footprint. Through its commitment to innovative product design, lowest-cost global sourcing, superior operating performance and leadership from the industry’s premier management team, FFR-DSI holds a leading market position in North America.

Jim Conroy of Olympus Partners commented, "We are excited to partner with Stan Burson, FFR-DSI’s CEO, and the entire management team to leverage the Company as a platform for growth."

“We are eager to take our “Total Retail Solutions” model to the next level with our new partner, especially with Olympus’ commitment to support our continued organic and acquisitive growth,” according to Stan Burson, CEO of FFR-DSI.

Founded in 1988, Olympus Partners is a Stamford, Conn.-based private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for companies needing capital for expansion. Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries, including healthcare services, financial services, consumer products and business services.

Olympus manages in excess of $3 billion on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. The acquisition of FFR-DSI, Inc. is Olympus’ fifth investment out of its $1.5 billion fifth fund.

The Olympus team included Jim Conroy, David Haddad, Jason Miller and Sachin Bavishi.

Olympus was represented by John Schoenfeld and Rob Kiburz of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Chris Williams, John Neuner, Brent Spiller and Chip Duggins of Harris Williams advised Cortec on the transaction.